MY enemy’s enemy is my friend seems to be Ghana’s approach as they mobilise support for their team ahead of the semi-final game against Nigeria Wednesday.
The Ghanaians saw how Nigerians outnumbered Morocco five to one when the Super Eagles defeated the Atlas Lions at the quarter-final stage of the on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN) and do not want to suffer such fate.
‘‘What they are doing is to play on South Africans’ sensibilities following Nigeria’s dominance of games against the Bafana Bafana,’’ a Nigerian resident in Bloemfontein, Emeka Okafor, told The Guardian.
‘‘They have approached some Nigerians, who they thought were South Africans, offering them their shirts in return for support.
“This approach smacks of desperation because this is one of the towns with a large Nigerian population and nothing the Ghanaians can do will give them more support when we clash with them today,” he added.
Many Nigerians from different parts of South Africa have trooped into Bloemfontein ahead of today’s game, just as members of the Nigerian Supporters Club have turned the city into one huge party town.
The Guardian learnt that the Supporters Club, led by Rafiu Ladipo, were expected to meet with leaders of the Nigerian community in Bloemfontein yesterday to plan their support for the Super Eagles today.
Meanwhile, Ghana Coach, Maxwell Konadu, has lauded the mentality of defender, Kwabena Adusei, after the centre-back played through the pain barrier in their quarter-final win.
Adusei scored a 67th minute penalty but was withdrawn shortly after that due to injury.
The Asante Kotoko player picked up the injury before he elected himself to convert the spot-kick, which ensured Ghana eliminated DR Congo 1-0.
“Kwabena Adusei complained two days ago of a groin injury, but it was treated and during the game against DR Congo he approached me with tears in his eyes that he needed to be replaced because the injury had been aggravated in the game,” Konadu said on Monday.
“But I told him to stay on for the next five minutes, because there was the need for someone to warm-up and he agreed to do so. It was during this period that the penalty came and once again he mustered courage to go for the kick, which sent Ghana into the semi-finals.
“If it were any other player who was going through such pains the he wouldn’t have stayed on, let alone taking a crucial penalty for his side, so he needs to be commended for such high level of mental toughness.”
Adusei has been cleared and should be fit to start against Nigeria.
Retrieved from : The guardian
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